Walking down Harbord Street in downtown Toronto, you’ll come across the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre. Inside, various recreational sports unfold throughout the complex. Among the facilities is a room with lines drawn on its walls. Watching a match filled with thrilling plays and unforgettable rallies, you may feel compelled to join — and soon discover it’s open to all U of T students.

Shawn Poncha, a fourth-year Rotman Commerce student specializing in management, spearheads the U of T Squash Club as one of its co-presidents. The club aims to connect students, staff, and alumni through squash. “We focus on building an inclusive environment—whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned competitor, there’s a place for you here,” wrote Poncha in response to questions posed by The Varsity.

A racquet sport like no other

Squash is a multidimensional sport. Unlike traditional racquet sports, which are played with a net on concrete or lawn, squash matches occur on the four walls of a room with lines on the ground and wall marking the areas of play. This unique setting offers a revolutionary style of play where players engage with the game in 360 degrees. A room also opens the possibility of unpredictable play since it delivers more angles of attack and retaliation.

To initiate play, players must serve with one foot in the service box in the back half of the room and aim it above the service line but below the out-of-bounds marker on the opposite wall. The ball must then land on the opposite corner. 

Rally begins when players trade off in hitting the ball off the front wall, while only allowing it to bounce off the floor once, letting the ball make contact with any sides of the room unlimited times. This makes squash reflexively challenging, with fast-paced rallies and strategic placement of the ball.

“Squash is unique because of its pace and intensity. It’s fast, strategic, and requires a combination of agility, stamina, and mental focus. Unlike many other sports, squash is played in a confined court, so the ball is always in play—there’s no downtime. That makes every rally dynamic, unpredictable, and exciting,” wrote Poncha.

“Squash has often been recognized as one of the fittest sports in the world because it engages both the body and mind. Health-wise, it’s incredible for cardiovascular fitness, strength, and coordination. It’s also an all-weather sport that can be played year-round indoors, making it more accessible in Toronto’s climate,” Poncha added.

U of T Squash Club

Poncha was “inspired to take on the leadership role because squash has been part of [his] life since [he] was seven years old.” 

He wanted to continue playing the sport when he started going to U of T. Furthermore, it was his goal to introduce squash to other students in hopes of building an engaging community where they could learn, play amongst players of their skill levels, and make lasting friendships. 

“I’d describe it as very inclusive and diverse,” he wrote, when asked about the club’s community. “What makes the community special is how supportive and social it is—people come not just to play but to make friends, share tips, and have fun.”

The club holds Squash101 lessons for beginners to get a grasp on how to play squash. In addition, they conduct round robin matches every Thursday and Friday and provide free food, while allotting Saturdays for casual drop-ins. 

They also run special events with groups like Urban Squash Toronto and racquet companies such as Black Knight, with whom they collaborated to host the “Black Knight Night to Remember” mixer. With a combination of social events, learning tutorials, and competitive play, the club offers a wide variety of opportunities to engage with the sport.

From novices to recreational players to seasoned veterans already in competition, everyone is invited to join U of T Squash Club. Whether one is a student of any level, staff, or even a professional alumnus, the club is an inclusive place that welcomes them to the sport of squash. Discover the exhilaration and take part in camaraderie as the U of T Squash Club serves, drives, and plays a racquet sport like no other.

If you are interested in joining the U of T Squash Club, you can find them @uoftsquashclub on Instagram.